Automobile headlight-control switch



May l', 1928. I 1,667,965

G. A. BLAUVELT AUTOMOBILE HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH Filed ADIil '.7. 1926 ML @XM Wvesses INVENToR.

l M M54 gli?? l 'BY @fil/M A T TORNEYS.

Patented May l, 1928.

UNITED STATES GEORGE ALLEN BLAUVELT,

F SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMOBILE HEADLIGHT-CONTROL SWITCH.

Application filed April 7,

This invention relates to a class of'switches for the transfer of electric current which may be especially adapted to use in controlling light circuits for automobiles and the like. A

One of the 'purposes of this invention is to provide a switch that may be conveniently Y and artistically mounted on the steering column of an automobile for manipulation l0 in the control of automobile headlights and spotlights. .I A particular object of my invention is to provide a convenient switch for' strengthening the light in a spot light at a time `when l5 the headlights ofthe car are turned down.

V I attain the objects of my invention by the device described in detail in the annexed speciic'ations, recited inthe claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same structural parts in the several igures.

Referringito the iigures: Figure 1 isa circuit diagram showing an automobile lighting circuit in connection with which this switch is adapted to be used. Fi re 2 is a longitudinal section of the switc casing exposing to view the interior e of the switch of my invention. A i,

Figure 3 is a top end view of the switch of my invention.

' Figure 4 is a side ,view of a steering column and steering wheel' showing mounted thereon the switch of my invention.l Referring now to the several elementsof vdetail in the device of my invention I wish to point out the method of o erating the dervice in the manner preferred).

When an automobile is being driven along the road it is quite frequently necessary t 0 dim the two front lightsand when this 1s done itis desirable to have a stronger light along the side of the 'road carried by the spot light in order to p1 tection and idance w -en driving at night.

A convenient way to accomplish this recult in a circuit diagram is illustrated in Fig. 1 in the contact -knob 1 whichA may be switched from left to right either to comlete a circuit with the spot light -14-. om the lightinbattery -16 or to break that circuit and t row all the strength of the lightingjcircuit on the frontheadlights ofa the car. The intensity of light'for'the front headlights- 15 may be varied'by the merovide suitable pro# which switch. lever -5 controls' l invention what I claim is:

ter described comprisin u.

192e. serial No. 100,225.

nipulation of switch -17- on rheostat .-l8-.

n will' be noted that Switch knob -1- is always in contact with terminal -2 whether it touches terminal -3 or -4-. 60

Referring now to the details of construction of my switch and particularly the operating contacts in Fig..2 is illustrated a switch lever -5- controlling a springy actuated switch contact knob 1-.

When knob -1- is seatedin the central depression of, terminal -2. the circuit makes no contact with any light and when the switchis thrownso as to make contact with terminal #-4- it also makes contact 70 with central terminal -2; likewisewhen the switch lever -5- is thrown to the opposite side knob -lcompletes a contact between central terminal 2, and terminal 7 -3-. v 5

A plunger spring 19 and a lcontact l knob -1- are telescopically mounted within a tubular sleeve in switch lever -5- while switch lever -5- is held into normal operating position through the urgency of 8,0 spring -19- and is pivotally vmovable the principle of a ball and socket joint w thin a snug y fitting aperture in the top of casing 9.

The terminals -2-3- and -4- within 85 casing 9 are suitably insulated by hard rubber -,12-.

Casing 9 's mounted on base -11-' and securely fastened thereto and after wires -6-7- and 8 are secured to terminals 90 23 and 4 respectively cap -10 of the casing is adapted to be screwed on or otherwise'secured to casing -9-. .Y

-In order to provide a suitable support for Y base 11 pads -13A are provided under 95 the base to make a good snug fitting contact vwith the steering column -20-.

It will be seen that the switch of my invention may be artistically and conveniently mountedand secured to a steering column -21- either through a strap'or spring to hold it on the column as is shown at 22- in' Fig. 4. /1 Having thus described the nature of my e f A- headlight control switch of the characcooperative oombination a ball and soc et mounted control lever provided with a resilientlymounted contact member;` a centraland two side elecl10- trodes, said centralelectrode provided with a, receiving depression for the accommodation of saidresilient contact member on said lever, said side electrodes insulatably spaced 5 from said, central electrode and provided each with cooperating depressions adapted Y to cooperate with similar depressions insaid central electrode on the edge thereof for the accommodation of said resilient contact mem- 

